What did I buy?

C

Cheapshooter

New member
Perusing the website of the evil gunshop lady that seem to always have some interesting things I found something that hasn't been on my short list, but rattling around in the cavernous spaces of my head. A 30-30 bolt gun. In particular, a Savage 340a. I don't see them often, but have been intrigued by them. My deer hunting needs are covered many times over, but I think it might be a fun shooter at the range.
The evil gunshop lady's shop is about 175 miles away, but near a friends lake house, and farm that I visit often. Her evil temptations have attracted my friend, and me so often that she has a special shelf in the back just to hold things for us until we get there.
I trust her honesty as to the condition of the things I have her hold. She says this Savage is in really good shape. One of the nicest ones she's seen. So I told her to put it on the shelf, and I would have a check in the mail Monday for the $275 asking price. From a quick check on gun auction sights that seems to be a fair price.
Now, what exactly are the differences in 340 models? I see them listed as just 340, 340A, 340C, and 340E.
I know they didn't come from the factory drilled for a scooe mount, and have heard the receiver is very hard needing special tooling to drill. Not an issue to me. If it hasn't been drilled and tapped it will just stay as an open sighted rifle.
I have also heard that the feed lips on the magazine can be problematic, but not difficult to fix.
I guess I just have a thing for basic, utilitarian firearms, and their simple design.:D
 
The price of this 340 is very good if it really is in the condition described. Generally the 340 in 30-30 is accurate and fun at the range, although range snobs may sneer at it. That is, until they see that your groups are better than theirs. I was once with my 340 at a bench next to to a guy with a Weatherby Mark V in 300 Weatherby Mag and a Nightforce scope. He was shooting 2" groups and he did notice my 1-1/4" groups. That was a satisfying experience. The 340 needs a side scope mount and my local gunsmith had no trouble installing one for me. I put on a Bushnell Trophy 4-12X and it worked very well. But, you can't get a snug cheek unless you put a cheek pad on your scoped rifle. It is fun to work up loads using the older W748 or IMR 3031 powders, or the newer Hodgdon Leverevolution powder, which is an excellent product. And, you are not limited to flat nosed bullets. Try some Sierra 155-gr Palma Match pills and you may be really surprised.
 
Savage 340's are running $300 and up on Gunbroker. They tend to make the .30-30 look like a high end match grade cartridge too. Mags are kind of pricey. $32.75 from Gunparts.
 
Years ago I read a story by a guy who fired cast loads in bench rest competition for cast loads. He used the Remington 720, I believe it was, in 30-30. The case was good for the size of the charges needed. In my younger days, I wondered why in beck anyone would use a bolt on that caliber, but eventually realized that I'm not an absolute expert in what is, or isn't a practical. Rifle and cartridge combination. I still scratch my head at times, but I won't be yelling that it's useless.
 
although range snobs may sneer at it. That is, until they see that your groups are better than theirs.
Click to expand...
Just one more reason to buy it!
Great companion bolt gun for my Hi-Points! LOL
In fact I see some similarities. Both bare bones, rudimentary firearms that are rock solid, reliable, and accurate beyond their price tag.:D
 
Took a trip "up North" this weekend, and picked up my prize from the Evil Gunshop Lady. Again my faith in hes assessment was bolstered greatly. It's in even better condition than I imagined. The one little dark streak on the forearm that I thought might be a gouge turned out to be part of the grain of the walnut stock. The blue would be what I would call 95% percent. With a little thinning only on the bolt handle. Hope to get some pics up soon.
We had a short time for some shooting mostly to function test. No real bench, or 100 yd backstop. Just off leaves, and beer cans against a mud bank about 30-40 yds.
No function problems, and four beer cans missing because we only saw flatened out pieces flying off into the hinterland beyoun the bank!
I'll get it out to my range hopefully next week, but it's not an exageration to say I'm a happy camper.
Oh, by the way, when I tolde her I would send a check for the $275 price I said we could settle up the sakes tax when I picked it up. Which we didn't because she included it in the price.:D:D:D
Don't think $275 out the door was a bad deal for this fun little rifle at all!
 
The 340C had a peep sight and stock checkering; the V was a varmint configuration with a heavy barrel; the S had the aperture sight, checkering and sling swivels.

In any configuration it is pretty much a bottom line gun and (IMHO) not exactly a pretty one. Trigger pulls range from so-so to awful and most stock wood is nothing to write home about. But they shoot well and the .30-30 has the advantage of being able to use pointed bullets in that caliber (not recommended in tubular magazine rifles) for improved accuracy.

Jim
 
I've owned a couple of those over the years and while not exactly the most accurate bench guns I've owned, they were fun little shooters. I really enjoyed them...but never got to fond of the side scope mount thing.
I gave my last one to a friend for his kids to shoot as they are still grade schoolers. I hope it last them for many years.
 
The one I gothas not been modified for a scope. That's fine with me I really don't plan on puting a scope on it. I did however notice two screws on the left side to the rear of the receiver. Are these possibly factory for a peep sight of some sort as mentioned about rhe "C" model. That might be a helpful addition.
As for the looks, I actually like the simple, utilitarian, almost military look they have.
 
Savage 340A 30-30 pics

Kinda limited to a tablet with front facing camera, so here's the best I could get
I think it's well worth the $275 OTD price!!!!




 
OH, the memories. My mother purchased one from selling eggs for my Dad back in the 50s. She laid it away at a hardware store. When I was a kid, that was the big gun. In the early 80s, my brother and I had it drilled and scoped, because Dad couldn't see as well. There's no telling on how many deer that rifle has took over the years.
My Dad passed away in 04 and that rifle was handed down to my son. I did some reloading for it, and my son can shoot 1" groups @ 100 yds consistently. He hunted with it for several years and took deer with it. It's now in his gun cabinet waiting for the next generation to take it to the woods.
 
Fascinating. Had since '77-'78 a Revelation 225, 30-30. Looks practically indentical. The Revelation has a Stainless bolt lever/knob and trigger and the stock is a glossy redish-blond stock. Still use the gun today. Sporadically at the range, and as my light-weight back up hunting. Blueing is +95, stock is still solid and it shots as straight as I allow it to be.
 
I always wonder when I buy one of thses old workhorses how many grate meals they provided for families through the years. With his padticular rifle I wonder how many "first deer" it has put down for young hunters.
 
For a long while, he had a groups that shot strictly cast bullets in competition. That came to an end when one died and another mover to another state because his wife wanted to be closer to the grandkids.
One guy shot a .308, another a 30-06 and my rifle was a Winchester M54 bolt action 30-30. Found that one at a gun show for $400 and although the bluing is almost gone, the checkering worn flat in places and the stock could stand refinishing, the bore in that rifle's bore is still as shiny and a brand new silver dime. Has a Redfield receiver sight factory installed and at 50 yards will put 10 170 gr. Lyman #311291 cast bullets into one ragged hole.
We did our shooting offhand at 50 and loser bought lunch. I bought very few lunches. :D In the years I've owned that rifle, never did a jacketed bullet go down it's beautiful bore.
Paul B.
 
The Savage 340 is a great little rifle. I have two, a .222 340C and a .223 340E. Both are very accurate, the only thing that I don't like about them is the trigger; both are heavier than I would like and seem to be non-adjustable. Both of mine are factory drilled for a scope. I have an older Weaver aluminum two piece side mount on the C and the stamped steel Savage mount (which is surprisingly sturdy) on the E. My C model is also drilled for a receiver sight but I have never seen any for sale anywhere.

I think that you got a great deal on yours in .30-30. The few that I have seen lately were in the $400 range.
 
Savage

Great pics! I had one that shot real well, but broke down and traded mine for a 1957 model 70 Winchester Featherweight...I think I did good :) Win in 98% never scoped.


Artillery King Of The Battlefield
 
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